{{Sean}} I am so sorry. Awful thing to hope for, but I hope she has a short term bug. I'm sorry you have to deal with this when you are just recovering too.

And yes, I don't agree with a lot of my country is doing, but for the short term, it does protect me. For the long term, I question its logic, very very much.

More than I can say for mine since I don't feel that they have so much protected me but made things a lot worse. Peace on Earth. Excellent plan there.

IOmemeN, my piece of work SIL made a big deal out of insisting that she host Christmas dinner this year for the family. Ok, fine. Then she has the nerve to call me and ask that I bring TWO lasagna dishes, one meat and one veggie, because everyone loves my lasagna so much. Dude! I make the holiday dinner when it is at my house like it is most years. As a guest I should bring beans or something. I'll probably do it, but only because I know her husband really does love the stuff and she only cooks Haitian rice and chickeny things. Still, wanna smack her.

Omnis, I agree with the "bring flowers" suggestion.

Sean, I'm holding S and you in my thoughts.

What!?!

Families are so weird.

Next time you provide the house and the sides and get HER to make the main course.

Leave the dishes for her to clean up, and have her drive them over to you after the fact. I think your feet are hurting, so you don't have to help out in the kitchen with the clearing of plates and stuff too, no?

I would leave her the dishes, but DH insists that if any is left over he is bringing it home. Shockingly, they always take home vast amounts of leftovers when they come here. I love to cook, but for guests at my home. I don't think she actually cooks herself because her mother lives with them and every time I have visited the poor woman is always cooking and cleaning. Evil SIL is lazy too. Beloved SIL already has planned that we will need to be outside playing with the kids, running errands, and such the whole afternoon. I haven't told her about the food request yet because I know she will go nuts.

Another whacked Evil!SIL story. Her husband called his sister, aka Beloved!SIL, to tell her that his wife had told their 10yo son that his aunt was giving him $60 for his birthday towards some gift. Just to let her know that the kid was expecting it. You probably heard my head exploding when she told me about that stunt. They didn't try that one with me.

Buried by work (literally -- just about to run down and grab a cup of soup for lunch right now, my first chance since I walked in this morning), but I've been thinking of Sean and S and vibing for both of you all day. I hope the transfer comes through good and quick so S can be with the team who knows her and her history best.

I have had a pretty shitty holiday season myself.

Oh, no. This is very wrong and very much the opposite of what you deserve, DJ. Thinking good thoughts for you too.

Another whacked Evil!SIL story. Her husband called his sister, aka Beloved!SIL, to tell her that his wife had told their 10yo son that his aunt was giving him $60 for his birthday towards some gift. Just to let her know that the kid was expecting it

Oh... there's a special circle of hell for relatives like that.

On a lighter note, the fun of listening to teen boys shooting pool in the other room. "Dude, the rubber fell off your wood." Gales of laughter.

{{{Bitches}}}

I am sad and cranky and ready to go home. I hope I get some holiday spirit back overnight. I love my family. I really do. I'm not quite sure what's wrong with me.

Her husband called his sister, aka Beloved!SIL, to tell her that his wife had told their 10yo son that his aunt was giving him $60 for his birthday towards some gift. Just to let her know that the kid was expecting it

Wow. My reactions would have been, "It's sad how soon disappointment comes to childhood these days."

I don't remember who recommended prosecco, but boy howdy I'm glad they did. I'm testing a bottle this evening to see about serving it on New Year's Eve. So, so yummy.